South African national record holder Glenrose Xaba is gearing up for her fourth race of the month as she prepares to compete in the highly anticipated Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, 25 August 2024.
Xaba, the reigning SA champion in the 5000m and 10,000m events, has been in exceptional form over the past eight weeks. She set a new SA 10km record of 31:12 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 7 July and followed up with three consecutive podium finishes during Women’s Month. Reflecting on her recent success, Xaba credits her entire team for playing a crucial role in her ability to recover quickly between races, allowing her to maintain peak performance.
“I have been working with Power2Health. They help athletes to recover using various methods such as ice baths, oxygen and ozone. I started working with them in 2020 when I had a knee problem. Now they understand my body because I have been attending their sessions consistently. I usually attend three recovery sessions a week when I am busy racing. It helps me a lot,” Xaba explained.
Her quick recovery between intense efforts means that the woman who won both the TSHWANE SPAR WOMEN’S 10KM CHALLENGE on 3 August and the Johannesburg leg of the Totalsports Women’s Race on 17 August, will once again be expected to take the fight to the East Africans at the fourth Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event of 2024. Run on a hilly course at altitude, the woman affectionately known as SuperCharger takes on Lesotho 10km record holder Neheng Khatala, Olympian Blandina Makatisi also of The Mountain Kingdom, perennial podium finisher Cacisile Sosibo and Ethiopia’s Ebste Atagoud Btaw.
“When it comes to hills, I destroy them,” said Xaba jokingly after crushing her opposition to take line honours at the Johannesburg leg of the Totalsports Women’s Race (32:56) by over a minute from runner-up Diniya Abaraya of Ethiopia.
“I’m very happy. It shows that if you believe in yourself, work hard, dedicate yourself and listen to what your coach says and follow the programme you’ll do much better.”
The men’s race in the nation’s capital is expected to be a little more open. Defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi will face-off against last year’s runner-up and SA 10km record holder (27:35) Precious Mashele, perennial sub-28-minute 10km performer Thabang Mosiako as well as Olympian Elroy Gelant who has dominated the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. Mulaudzi who produced the second sub-28-minute 10km clocking of his career (27:53), when he took second place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July, wrapped up his Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K preparation with a dominant victory in the men’s 4km race at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Cross Country Championships in Kagiso on Saturday 17 August and is ready for action.
“My training has gone well after my run at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K,” said Mulaudzi. “I have been running the Central Gauteng Athletics Cross Country League races, so my fitness is still at the same level. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K course is actually not so tough for me. Last year, I ran well there, so I think the route is okay. I actually find the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K course to be the toughest of the series.”
"We are excited to host the fourth event of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, on Sunday, 25 August,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “This race will bring together top local and international talent, including Glenrose Xaba, Neheng Khatala, Kabelo Mulaudzi, Precious Mashele, Elroy Gelant and Thabang Mosiako. Their participation underscores the event's status as a premier competition in South African athletics. Strong competition like this pushes the boundaries of what's possible and inspires everyone involved, from elite athletes to everyday runners, to strive for their personal best. We can't wait to see these incredible athletes in action and to witness the thrilling race that will unfold on the streets of Tshwane."
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
EXCITING NEWS: In 2024, each of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events will showcase unique, city-specific medals, adding a personalized touch to the participant experience reflective of the host city's essence and character.
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has welcomed the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events in 2024. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
WIN A CAR: All entrants of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K will have the exciting chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle valued from R279 000. To qualify for a chance to win this incredible prize, runners need to complete three simple steps: first, register for the event and pay the entry fee; second, collect your race number during the designated race pack collection times; and finally, ensure you're on the start line on event day. The winner will be announced before the start of the race.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
About Absa
Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa operates in fourteen countries. The Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, and securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States. For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit www.absa.africa
About the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
A proudly South African mass participation road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been revolutionizing the sport since 2015. A road running celebration like no other, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series comprises five unique events namely the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K (launched in 2023), Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (launched in 2015), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K (launched in 2017), Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (launched in 2023) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016).
A diverse road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series integrates businesses, families, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants. For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
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